Mormon Church Backs Deal to Allow Medical Marijuana in Utah

AdvertisementSupported byMormon Church Backs Deal to Allow Medical Marijuana in UtahBy The Associated PressOct. 4, 2018SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church joined lawmakers, the governor and advocates to back a deal Thursday that would legalize medical marijuana in conservative Utah after months of fierce debate.The compromise comes as people prepare to vote in November on an insurgent medical marijuana ballot initiative that held its ground despite opposition from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Gov. Unlike the ballot initiative, the compromise won't allow people to grow their own marijuana if they live too far from a dispensary. Medical use now is legal in more than 30 states and also is on the November ballot in Missouri. If it passes, it will be revised under the terms of the deal. Gary Herbert said he'll call lawmakers into a special session after the midterm election to pass the compromise into law regardless of how the initiative fares.

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Mormon Church Backs Deal to Allow Medical Marijuana in Utah

By The Associated Press

Oct. 4, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church joined lawmakers, the governor and advocates to back a deal Thursday that would legalize medical marijuana in conservative Utah after months of fierce debate.

The compromise comes as people prepare to vote in November on an insurgent medical marijuana ballot initiative that held its ground despite opposition from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Gov. Gary Herbert said he'll call lawmakers into a special session after the midterm election to pass the compromise into law regardless of how the initiative fares. If it passes, it will be revised under the terms of the deal. It if fails, the Legislature would consider a law under the new framework.

The agreement in such a conservative state underscores the nation's changing attitude toward marijuana. Medical use now is legal...